Warner Bros. Publications is proud to present this important series, Jazz at Lincoln Center Library. Each selection was selected by the Center's musical director, Wynton Marsalis. Each transcription is direct from the recordings of the immortal Duke Ellington, and they are not only authentic, they are perfect for your jazz ensemble. Features information about the original recording, rehearsal notes, and performance suggestions. These classic tunes represent jazz at its finest!

Even though they call him "Duke," Ellington is actually the King of Jazz! The year 1999 marks the 100th anniversary of his birth, and there's no better time to add this classic Ellington chart to the repertoire of your developing jazz ensemble. This is an exceptionally playable chart from Ralph Ford. Easy (2:44)

A medium groove swing tune that fits like an old shoe---so comfortable and everything works just right. Composed and arranged by the legendary Sammy Nestico for the late Harry "Sweets" Edison, this chart screams Count Basie. And speaking of swinging, there is a glorious ensemble section that brings it all together so sweetly! Sammy includes solo space for trumpet, piano, second alto sax, tenor sax, and trombone. This chart is not technically difficult, but dynamics and cohesive ensemble playing are a must. A wonderful chart that belongs in every jazz library!

If you are looking for a down and dirty blues chart, this is it! The classic riff tune from Booker T and the MGs is perfect for jazz ensemble. Recently heard in TV commercials, this has a great 'hook' that everybody knows. Roy Phillippe has written some great licks that are passed around to every section. This is a terrific opportunity to solo over blues changes. (3:32)

John Coltrane’s jazz standard is arranged by Kris Berg to offer strong ensemble writing, a fierce sax section soli and solo space on the 12-bar blues chord progression. It’s flexible so you can have few or many soloists of all instruments with backgrounds as needed. Great tune, great chart---it’s as simple as that. (6:57)

Brilliant arranger/composer Alan Baylock puts a very hip spin on "One Mint Julep." A greasy salsa with a hint of Thad Jones-Mel Lewis, Alan's arrangement provides solo space for alto 1, trumpet 2, and bone 1. The rhythm section will have fun with the salsa groove and few meter changes. This is a must-have chart! This recording is taken from the Alan Baylock CD, TWO SECONDS TO MIDNIGHT, available on Seabreeze Records. (6:04)

"Blues March" is an easy jazz march based on a quarter-note pattern, with a hip melody that begins with a drum cadence! Written solos for trumpet and tenor sax are included. With easy ranges and rhythms, this is a fun chart that helps to teach jazz articulation! This title is available in SmartMusic.

This swing-march begins with trumpet, alto and tenor on the melody, and then builds. Written-out solos provided for tenor, trumpet and alto, a sweet shout chorus, a sax section soli and a big ending complete the package. This title is available in SmartMusic.

This medium swing chart from a very creative writer approaches the blues with a 24-bar blues form that really makes it easy to hear and feel the blues chord progression. Features include written solos for tenor sax and trombone, backgrounds behind the soloists, a clever interlude section, and the lead trumpet part range to written F top line. A traditional yet hip-sounding swing chart! This title is available in SmartMusic.

A greasy swingin' blues with a very catchy riff! This great tune was composed by Neal Hefti and arranged by Roy Phillippe. Solos are written out for piano, trumpet and tenor sax. The lead trumpet plays to written F. This chart is easy to rehearse, and very effective!

Lush, dynamic, and orchestral are a few words to describe this ballad brilliantly arranged by Alan Baylock. No individual soloists, but Alan's ensemble scoring went above and beyond to create a sophisticated and sensitive setting for this gorgeous tune. Flugelhorns or optional buckets for the trumpets and serious dynamics will make this chart sing. Exceptional! (4:43)

Not to be confused with the same titled piece from the Nutcracker Suite, this tenor sax feature from Duke's later years has an open almost "world music" groove that transitions to straight ahead swing. Contrasting traditional harmonic sections with vamp like textures, odd phrase lengths and his usual colorful orchestration, makes this one of Duke's great compositions.

Composer/arranger Jeff Darrohn has created this very interesting blues chart. A 16-bar blues, it has call-and-responses, a few stop-time sections, a building interlude and brief written-out solo breaks for alto and tenor sax, trumpet and trombone. Chock full of educational jazz concepts and easy to play, this chart is definitely a great choice for your young band. (3:25) This title is available in SmartMusic.

Arranger Roy Phillippe has nailed the gospel rock style with this Neal Hefti classic. Roy recognized that Hefti originally wrote this for trumpeter Harry James, so Roy appropriately starts off with a solo trumpet. A stop time treatment of the bridge section offers a nice change of pace for the rhythm players. Ad lib solos are written out for alto and tenor saxophone and the brass ranges are modest. Don't forget this chart will sound great with reduced instrumentation. This catchy melody makes a fun to play chart and teaches easy rock rhythms, too. Enjoy! This title is available in SmartMusic.

The title says it all---it’s a blues head that really cooks all the way. The hot melody lick bounces back and forth between saxes and trumpets, plus there are written-out solos for alto, tenor, trumpet, and trombone. The lead trumpet range is to written F, top line. A wonderful shout chorus, some stop time sections, it’s all here. This title is available in SmartMusic.

A hot opening statement by tenor sax, trumpet and trombone leads the way for this terrific gospel-flavored swing chart by Jeff Darrohn. It’s easy to rehearse and has a catchy and interesting melody with written-out solos for alto sax and trumpet and easy 1st trumpet range to written E top space---what’s not to like? Great choice. (3:48) This title is available in SmartMusic.

'Down and dirty' best describes this solid Calvin Custer arrangement of a great old standard. The popularity of this tune has not dimmed over the years, and with Calvin's impeccable voicings, the chart sounds harder than it actually plays. Remember also that all the titles in this series are playable with reduced instrumentation. This is a great opportunity for your students to share some historical jazz music! (4:04)

From the Quincy Jones and Sammy Nestico CD titled Basie & Beyond. Composed and arranged by the legendary Sammy Nestico, this chart begins with a funky drum groove and develops into a nice easy swing feel with solo space for trumpet and tenor saxophone. In Sammy style, he features a wonderful swingin' ensemble section that cooks hard, then goes back to a funky groove for the reprise. Trumpet range to high F. World class writing! (1:18)

Jeep's Blues is one of many blues lines written by Ellington's star alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges. This one was for an Ellington small group recording under Hodges' name in the late 1930's. It's basically just the first 4 bars of the blues and then Hodges improvises the rest of the 12-bar form. Ellington's later big band arrangement is a very simple enlargement of that original 4-horn chart. There are 2 ensemble choruses, 2 solo choruses, 2 sax section choruses ending with a stride piano cadence. The opening is a loud and glorious ensemble; the closing is a soft and introspective sax section.

I Like the Sunrise features a lush baritone vocal, Duke at his "symphonic" best, a beautiful and evocative orchestration that is a study in the American vernacular for large ensemble. Solos include baritone sax.

Written with Duke Ellington's Orchestra in mind, this fast and furious, altered blues head gives way to several choruses of blues improvisation featuring tenor sax. Interesting background writing throughout.

Super samba! From our man Victor López, this chart is totally hot and WILL challenge the band. Some fierce unison lines, the melody stated by alto and trumpet, solo space for alto, trumpet, trombone, and drums. Optional flugelhorns. Lead trumpet goes up to written D above the staff. If you want a smokin' samba, this is it. (4:02)

The Wizard of Oz has given us many great melodies that lend themselves to the jazz style. With the sax section featured throughout, no individual solos and lots of ensemble work, this one is a textbook swing chart perfect for young musicians. Dotted-eighth rhythms work so well with this tune that it just about plays itself. Mike Lewis knows how to score an arrangement for young bands: easy to learn, great sounding and, most important, fun to play!

La Negra Tiene Tumbao is the Latin Grammy® winner in the Best Salsa category. Cuban-born Celia Cruz is known as the soulful "Queen of Salsa" throughout the world and the arranger, Victor López, former lead trumpet player with the Miami Sound Machine, has performed many times with Celia. The repetitive rhythmic figures provide tremendous drive to this chart. Ranges are modest and the overall chart will take minimum rehearsal time. Optional auxiliary percussion plus all the usual additional parts make this a sure-fire hit with the band and the audience. It is hot!

Rock on! Even the youngest band can sound great on this simple yet effective rock-jazz chart. Featuring a written drum solo, ensemble handclaps, and a solo section for all wind instruments, this will make the band will sound terrific from the first note. Easy to rehearse and quick to come together, Rock the House is an outstanding choice. Optional parts for two flutes, two clarinets, horn, baritone horn, tuba, baritone sax, and guitar. A gem from Victor López, this is a perfect choice for jazz beginners.